CWM Hospital patients were affected by a water shortage after the hospital’s backup water tank ran dry following a burst water pipe, leaving critical services disrupted and patients relying on bottled water.
Water supply has since been restored following flushing operations by the Water Authority of Fiji.
Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Luke Nasedra has confirmed with fijivillage News that the hospital had been without a proper running water supply since yesterday.
He says the shortage slowed services in the Intensive Care Unit, Acute Medical Ward, Operating Theatre and Emergency Department.
Despite the challenges, Dr Nasedra confirms that the Emergency Department remained operational during the disruption.
He says the hospital had been working closely with WAF to restore the water supply as soon as possible.
International Women's Association President Judy Compain has raised concerns about the impact of the water shortage on patients, questioning why the situation at the hospital had not received greater attention from political leaders.
Compain says the Intensive Care Unit, Operating Theatre and Emergency Department in the hospital’s East Wing were at risk because of the lack of water.
She questions what would happen if emergency surgery was needed while the hospital was without water.
Compain says politicians should focus their time and energy on the crisis affecting patients and hold each other accountable for the state of the country’s health facilities.
She also questions why political leaders had not issued statements about the situation at the hospital, asking whether the issue only mattered when someone they knew or cared about was affected.
WAF confirms that water supply has been restored, adding that repairs to a burst water main on Belo Street, scheduled for tonight, may result in further water pressure fluctuations.
The Authority says the hospital’s water tanks will refill as supply is restored.
Stay with us for updates.
